Chapter Nine: Testing the Medicine

"These are medical supplies, and medicines as well?" Bandages and healing patches were easy enough to identify, but the capsules and granulated medications were more difficult to distinguish, not to mention some sprays and the like.

However, each came with an instruction leaflet, so the elite jonin gathered in the tent picked them up to examine them more closely. These were the top jonin, holding advisory authority on the battlefield.

Tsunade began explaining to those who hadn’t received any medicine, "These are all emergency medications useful on the battlefield, covering a range of functions—hemostatics, anti-inflammatories, antipyretics, and more. With these, we can greatly alleviate the shortage of medical ninja. Coupled with basic first-aid suture techniques, we could reduce our current casualty rate by several times!"

A jonin from the Nara clan asked, "Are these medicines really as effective as the instructions claim?"

"It’s not confirmed yet. These are just samples for us to try. If they work as advertised, I recommend purchasing them in bulk; otherwise, with the current number of medical ninja, the wounded in camp..." Tsunade left the rest unsaid, but everyone present understood her meaning. Lately, the medical ninja in the camp had been working non-stop, resuming treatment as soon as they recovered. Their chakra was depleted daily, yet many wounded still died from delayed care.

Among the casualties were ninja from various clans. If these medicines truly had the effects described, such scenes of preventable deaths would be drastically reduced.

Shimura Danzo asked in a low voice, "What’s that person’s background?"

"We don’t know. He claims to be from America, across the sea, but who can say what’s on the other side? And there’s no way these medicines were developed by another hidden village; if that were the case, Konoha would at least have heard some rumors."

Tsunade shook her head at this, then continued, "But he seems quite adept at escaping, and he doesn’t carry many medicines. He’s not a ninja, and he does have the air of a broker..."

"It’s bizarre for a merchant to show up near the battlefield like this—no ordinary trader would make such a reckless move, Jonin Yama..." Danzo hadn’t finished when Orochimaru interrupted with a smile.

"Advisor Danzo, I wouldn’t advise such measures. This person is clearly just a scout, and probably doesn’t know much. He only encountered us in the Land of Rain because of those three children. If you take action against him and fail to uncover any secrets, the only ones to benefit would be the Rain ninja."

After Orochimaru spoke, the other jonin fell into thought, soon realizing his words made sense.

The immediate priority was to test the effectiveness of these medicines. If they worked as claimed, Konoha ought to purchase them in quantity, potentially saving countless ninja lives.

There was little point in fixating on the man’s origins. Though his background warranted attention, it paled in importance beside the medicines. If the Rain ninja obtained the same medical supplies and logistical support, this war might drag on, and Konoha could easily go from victor to vanquished.

Danzo also thought of the Rain ninja who had just surrendered. If they targeted this man and forced his backers to turn to the Rain village, the war’s course would inevitably shift.

"Tsunade, verify the efficacy of these medicines. If they prove effective..."

"Then we’ll send a report and inventory list to Lord Hiruzen and the other two elders. Bulk purchasing requires their approval, after all. Besides, the supplies include more than just medicines—there’s food and other logistics as well."

Tsunade interjected, her response both reasonable and appropriate, though it left Danzo slightly irritated. He had no grounds to argue, as it was the logistics division’s prerogative.

"Very well. Meeting adjourned."

With Danzo’s words, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the other ninja exited the command tent. Outside, Tsunade felt refreshed; witnessing Danzo’s simmering frustration was enough to lift her spirits.

"Orochimaru, what will you do next?"

Orochimaru considered a moment before replying, "Unless something unexpected happens, I’ll likely be sent against the Sand ninja."

Thinking of her younger brother, Tsunade said, "I’ll probably be staying in camp a while longer. Orochimaru, when we get back, would you be Shigure’s instructor? He’s always wanted to be your student."

"If he can pass my test. But at least he didn’t choose Jiraiya—so he’s already halfway qualified in terms of discernment."

Orochimaru’s words all but confirmed his agreement.

Afterward, Tsunade returned to her tent, where she said to Karn, "Everything’s settled. If the medicines work, Konoha will purchase them in bulk. You don’t mind waiting a little, do you?"

"Of course not. Inspection is a necessary part of any transaction." Karn shrugged. Things had progressed very smoothly. All that remained was for him to steadily build his influence in the shinobi world, set up businesses, acquire legitimate status, and develop his own military force.

Meanwhile, he planned to amass some precious metal resources. After all, large-scale medicine purchases required money, and the profits from the stock market could hardly support cross-world trade on this scale.

Perhaps he’d need to set up some front companies in other countries. Once back, he’d hire a professional private lawyer; otherwise, the heavy metals issue would be difficult to resolve.

He might even commission Tsunade to develop a cure for diseases that couldn’t be treated in his own world. With the medical ninja’s knowledge of the human body, there was a real chance of creating breakthrough medicines.

If so, Karn would strike it rich. With advanced medical ninjutsu from the shinobi world, he could establish a pharmaceutical giant in the Marvel universe.

Decades later, the biotech of the shinobi world was advanced enough to produce clones. If Karn put his mind to it, his ambitions could come to fruition ahead of schedule.

...

Medical Camp

The camp was packed with wounded. After a major battle, even though Konoha had defeated the Rain ninja, their own losses were significant. Most critically, there were over two hundred wounded and only eight medical ninja.

Konoha had existed for barely thirty years, and its hospital was only founded under the Second Hokage. Previously, the village’s resources were prioritized for the ANBU, the ninja academy, and so on, leaving the hospital underdeveloped. With medical ninja stationed in Konoha and two squads assigned to the Grass battlefield, there simply weren’t enough to spare for the Land of Rain, despite the heavy casualties.

That was why Tsunade valued Karn’s medicines so highly when she learned of them.

Karn was at the medical camp as well. After suturing wounds for three patients and applying medicine, he walked out of the camp, frowning slightly.

After washing the blood from his hands, Karn took a deep breath, then said to Tsunade, who had come to meet him, "The medicines have been sufficiently tested, Tsunade. Let me reiterate: I am a merchant, not a doctor."